Catherine Ryan Hyde is one of my absolute favorite author. Her style, her voice and her stories are touching and unforgettable. In her unique way, she brings amazing characters, relatable characters to life and Just After Midnight is no exception. This is a beautiful story of love, loss and new beginnings. Hyde always finds a way top tug at your heart strings and keeps you wanting more even after the story is over.

Mark Dec 4 in your calendar for this publication date and expect to do nothing but read. If you would have given me the bare bones premise that a virtual stranger meets her neighbors and within days uproots her whole life to help them, I would have scoffed. But, if you’ve ever read Catherine Ryan Hyde, you know she starts with characters that are compassionate, real, valued and principled and lets the core values take over. These are people who don’t assume others will step in or turn away from someone in need. It’s incredibly refreshing to have faith in humans that try to do the right thing, regardless of cost or inconvenience. When my son was five years old and I was explaining ‘Stranger Danger’ to him, he listened to me and then told me if someone approached him and asked for help, he would just have to go ahead and help them. I understood what he meant. The story unfolds masterfully in a way that makes you say... just five more pages... you can’t wait to see what happens next. I loved the depth to a 14 year old where most authors skim over the true feelings of this age group and don’t give them credit for deeply rational thoughts. I found myself completely immersed and invested in each character and will now miss them. It begs the question, “what would you do in similar circumstances?” Could you look the other way? #netgalley #justaftermidnight #lakeunionpublishing #catherineryanhyde

Just After Midnight – Catherine Ryan Hyde

I was fortunate to receive this novel from Netgalley.com as an Advance Reader Copy, in exchange for an objective review.

Faith has fled to her family’s California beach house in efforts to flee a controlling and borderline abusive marriage. Enjoying the solitude of the quiet shore, she is taking the time she needs to heal. Then she spots a young girl sitting on the beach in the dark in a lotus position – and an unusual friendship is born.

Sarah is a young teenaged girl who flees to her grandmother after her mother’s sudden death, and her father’s apparent betrayal – he sold Sarah’s prized horse without even telling her. Sarah also has a secret – a suspicion that her mother’s death didn’t quite happen they way she was told it did.

As Faith and Sarah bond over their unusual circumstances, Sarah’s Dad is discovered to be close by, prompting Faith and Sarah to flee, while her grandmother attempts to gain custody. Sarah requests that they head to Paso Robles – where Midnight is presently residing. As they arrive and walk towards the ring where Midnight is being ridden, she throws her rider, jumps the fence, and runs to Sarah.

As Sarah bonds again with her horse and faces anew the probability of loss, she shares her suspicious about her father’s role in her mother’s death – and Faith comes to terms with her shattered marriage and her own uncertain future.

A sweet novel about love, loss, trust, pain, growth, self-determination and perseverance…just a beautiful story!!

Catherine Ryan Hyde's novels are so under-rated, in my opinion. I have never seen a paperback of hers on a shelf in any store, and even when there’s a new release, I usually find it by accident on my eBook retailer’s shelves, never in a promotion or by a review. I really hope this is just an Australian thing. I sense she's very well known in her homeland of America, but her stories are universal, and I just think so many readers in other countries are missing out on such a good author. So, I'll keep doing my bit by reading and reviewing her novels, one by one, in the hopes that I can persuade some of you to give her a go.

Just After Midnight is a journey novel, both actually and metaphorically. Faith is putting some distance between herself and her husband after finally leaving him. Sarah is in danger, emotionally and possibly physically, after witnessing her mother's death. After meeting Sarah and her grandmother, Constance, quite by accident, a series of circumstances leads her to getting to know the pair, and subsequently, helping them out by taking Sarah away with her for the summer as a means of protecting the girl. Just After Midnight is very much a character driven novel, and while it's told in Faith's voice only, Catherine Ryan Hyde has such skill as a writer that we clearly hear Sarah and even Constance, and feel their pain, what they're going through, and sense what it is they need, without ever being in their heads. Just After Midnight is also a horse novel. It's about dressage, something Catherine Ryan Hyde knows a lot about, so we are treated to the ins and outs of the sport as Faith goes from knowing nothing to having a reasonable grasp on the basics. More than this though, is the aspect of connection between a horse and its owner. I absolutely love horse novels, it's inexplicable, I don't even have a horse, but I love them and I always have. So for me, the strong focus on horses throughout this novel was like heaven spread over the pages. And because we were being guided with such expertise by Catherine, the knowledge was woven into the narrative seamlessly, and never appeared as a dressage lesson or a case of information overload.

‘“How do I say this?” he continued. “That girl and that mare, they belong together. They need to be together. That girl has put her whole life outside of school into riding dressage, and that horse is her partner. Her match. It’s so wrong for them to be separated that we can hardly even sleep at night. It’s like the world should have shifted off its axis because this is so wrong, what happened, and we can’t figure out how life is just going on like it’s all okay. The more time you spend around her, the more I hope you’re getting that.”
“I think I pretty well have it,” Faith said. “I just don’t know what anybody can do about it.”

Essentially, Just After Midnight is about trauma. Sarah’s mother is not long dead, she believes her father is responsible, and on the back of this, he has sold her beloved horse, Midnight, to clear a gambling debt. But he did it without telling her. And this is no small thing because the horse is valued at $75,000. The betrayal to Sarah is portrayed with stunning clarity. This girl is grieving, afraid, angry, and frantically worried about her horse. She convinces Faith to follow the dressage circuit for the summer so she can be with Midnight a bit longer. The connection between Sarah and Midnight was profound.

“‘I'm not a perfect person by any means, Faith, but I do genuinely love horses. I love what I do because I care about them so. There's a thing that happens to horses who are sold to too many owners – a sort of spiraling slide down into misery. The more times they're sold, the more sour they get, and the more sour they get, the more times they're sold. I care too much for that beautiful animal to see that happen. And in addition to caring for horses, I care for the vulnerable young girls who love them. Especially the ones who are humble enough and grateful enough to appreciate a fine horse when they have one.”’

Where does Faith fit into all this? She's in her late thirties but has no children. The state of her marriage has led to this, so now she's finding herself in the role of a mother figure to Sarah, a trusted confidante. It allows her to focus on something other than her husband, but bearing witness to Sarah's trauma also allows Faith the opportunity to gain clarity over her own situation, leading to some ground-breaking decisions and courageous moments. The relationship that develops between Faith and Sarah was so special, all the more I think because neither were actually looking for it. One of those serendipitous right place at the right time moments that change lives. These are the sorts of moments Catherine Ryan Hyde is known for building novels up from.

There are some hard hitting moments throughout, raw and intense, where a character's pain is a tangible force on the page.

‘“I didn't mean that. I meant...should I wake her? You know how when a child is having a nightmare and they're acting afraid in their sleep? You wake them. You kiss them awake to save them from it. So they'll see there's nothing to be afraid of. But what do you do when a child is heartbroken in her sleep but the world you’re waking her up into is no better?”’

I just love the imagery Catherine generates with her words. You feel yourself in the scene, experiencing the emotions as the characters do. She is such a good writer. I’ve read several of her novels now, and each one has affected me deeply.

‘Harlan Deaver looked down at the carpet in shame. Faith couldn't even see his face. But she could feel his shame. It was in his body language. It was there in the room. It all but filled up the breathable air, leaving no room for anything else to exist.’

If you like your fiction hard hitting and authentic, character driven and immersive, I highly recommend Just After Midnight. You may likely cry, but you'll also rejoice in the beauty of human connection and be awed by the love that exists between a teenage girl and her horse.

‘Faith thought from the girl's voice that she might be crying. Or right on the edge of it. Just at that place where emotions twist your mouth around and cause a word to come out sounding shaky and strange. But in the dark it was hard to tell.’


Thanks is extended to Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley for providing me with a copy of Just After Midnight for review.
Review to appear on my blog https://theresasmithwrites.com at publication.

As in all of this authors books, there are so many awesome and generous characters. Great lessons on dressage and equestrians in this one. Friendships made for life. Giving and caring for new found friends. So much warmth and love. A girl and her horse torn apart; can they find their way to each other again. Great read!!!!

A story of losses and their consequences,but also a story that they bring out the best in people. A teenager and a young women try to escape their past and become very important to each other, along with a horse named Midnight.An inspirational story that keeps the read wanting more.

This was a beautiful heartwarming book, that made me believe in the goodness of people again. After leaving her abusive husband Faith finds an unlikely friend in Sarah, a young girl with her own problems. Sarah has everything taken away from her. Her mother and her beloved horse. But, through this unlikely friendship both Faith and Sarah learn to love and trust again. Have your tissues ready because you are going to need them.

This is the second novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde that I have been fortunate enough to read, and I can say it did not disappoint me. She definitely knows how to tell a story! Even though I am not a horse person, I was still able to connect with the characters in this novel, Faith and Sarah. This ended up being a very easy read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you for the opportunity to read by both the author and NetGalley.

I enjoyed the book but it wasn't my favorite. I absolutely loved Allie and Bea, Heaven Adjacent and Leaving Blythe River and this book just didn't give me the same feelings. It was a great book, I just didn't love it. Sarah and Faith's relationship reminded me a little bit of Allie and Bea's. Loved parts of the story and most of the characters. I hate to say that I never loved Sarah. At times I just didn't like her. Would someone allow their granddaughter to go off with a complete stranger? I would have enjoyed learning more about Faith and her life. Enjoyed reading about the horses. Love the writing style. I always feel like I'm part of Catherine Ryan Hyde's books.

Faith recently left her husband. She ends up at her father's beach house and befriends Sarah. Sarah is a fourteen year old girl who recently lost her mom and her horse. Her mom died and her dad sold the horse. Throughout the summer, Faith and Sarah spend there time getting Midnight, the horse, ready for shows and to be sold. Midnight is a very special horse and pretty much only likes when Sarah rides her. Faith and Sarah end up helping each.

I did enjoy the book but had a hard time with the story. Some parts became anticlimactic, especially with Sarah's dad and Faith's ex-husband. Sarah was fourteen but at times I thought I was reading about a nine year old with the way she acted. I know she had a traumatic like with her mom suddenly and suspiciously dying. I think she grieved more for the horse than her mom. I'm glad Faith and Sarah found each other because they were exactly what they both needed.

I definitely recommend the book and can't wait to read more books by the author.

Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author, Catherine Ryan Hyde, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.

Another brilliant novel from one of my favorite authors. Her characters always come to life for me, and Faith and Sarah are no exception. I’m not really into horses and I never have been so it was really hard for me to get into the first several pages. I would rather the author had started with just the main characters without being in the horse setting and then just gradually eased me into the “horse talk.”

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a wonderful story which features family, loyalty, love and self- sacrifice.

"Sometimes the worst circumstances bring out the best in people." This quote from the book is on target in the case of the two main characters, Faith and Sarah.
These two, a teenager and a young woman, meet by chance but become very important to each other over time. Both are trying to escape conflicts stemming from their pasts.
A horse, so loved and cared for with devotion, plays a pivotal role in the life of both women.
Sarah is a self conflicted girl in need of support and advice. Unusual as it is for Faith to give of herself to help someone, she nevertheless steps up and becomes a friend and advocate for Sarah. In doing so, her better self emerges and sets her on a new direction in life.
Well done!

I really like Catherine Ryan Hyde's works. There's so much heart and feeling written into each character.

Faith has escaped to her parents' beach house in the middle of a divorce. Suddenly she's involved in Sarah's life, a 14 year old running from her father and the suspicious death of her mother.

This is not a thriller. It is a slow paced story. I almost gave up after the first chapter, but I started it again. I'm glad I did. This book is more about the relationships formed with people who need the help and trust of others.

A solid read. Thanks NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing.

Midnight is a horse, not a time of day. Sarah loves Falkner's Midnight Sun. Fiercely. She was her horse, until Sarah's father sold the mare to pay off some debt. Now, as Sarah and her grandmother are spending some time at the beach, hoping to relax and evade Sarah's father, they become acquainted with Faith who is seeking to escape from her own demons.

This is a wonderful story of the many ways in which love can change our lives.

I read this EARC courtesy of Net Galley and Lake Union pub date 12/04/18

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Just After Midnight will appeal to young adults who are transitioning to adult novels. The plot is quite uncomplicated with just hints of betrayal and fear. The major character, Faith, is leaving a bad marriage behind; although she states numerous times that her husband never hit her, there is enough of an underlying threat that she must keep her present location unknown to him. She wants out of her marriage to the point where she is willing to abandon any financial stake in their savings and home.

Teenage Sarah, meanwhile, has recently lost her mother to a supposed suicide and is in the throes of grief. These two are drawn together since neither feels completely safe nor completely free. Sarah not only grieves for her mother but also for the abrupt sale of her mare, Midnight. Her father sold the horse very soon after the death of Sarah's mom. His blindness to his daughter's needs is just one aspect of his selfish personality.

The unlikely relationship of a teen girl and a total stranger strains credulity. Constance, Sarah's grandmother who is fighting for custody, allows Faith and Sarah to leave for parts unknown since the women fear Sarah's father. (No way. Can we all just say "Amber Alert?") But, the possible legal entanglements never enter Faith's mind as she journeys with Sarah toward peace and strength, self-empowerment and acceptance.

I really enjoyed this story about a girl and her love for her horse! I was a bit confused when the story switched from present to past. I thought the information on dressage was interesting. I’ve seen a few horse shows with it and it is pretty to watch. Definitely recommend! Love this author’s books!!

The topic of this book (horses) may not be for everyone but the underlying theme should be - be kind. All of Catherine Ryan Hyde's books teach through example without being preachy. Our character, Faith, is able to show empathy to Sarah who starts out as a stranger. Throughout the story, Faith interacts with Sarah in a way that ends up being a benefit to all involved. For me, this book started slower than other books by Ms. Hyde however, it supports my reasons for listing Catherine Ryan Hyde as one of my favorite authors.

How does Catherine Ryan Hyde do it? She has written over 30 novels, all with very different characters and plot lines, and she continues to deliver believable, relatable characters every time. And she usually makes me cry, but not through manipulation or sappiness. She just does a great job of showing us the human condition. JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT is no exception. In it, Faith is hiding out from her controlling husband after asking him for a divorce when she meets Sarah, a fourteen-year-old whose mother just died violently. Faith lost her own mother at a tender age, so she befriends Sarah and feels protective of her, so much so that she agrees to hide Sarah away until her grandmother can gain custody of her. What ensues is a grand adventure in which I learned a great deal about horses and the world of dressage. Just a lovely book!

This is another good book by Ms. Hyde. A feel good family type drama about a young woman, Faith, a young teenager Sara and Sara's grandmother. There is a lot of good information about horses and the world of horse dressage and competition in it also that makes the book interesting. The way the three characters meet and interact is also well written.

This was a story about devastating losses and the consequences of those losses, but also about redemption, love, new friendships, and the ultimate kindness of strangers and friends alike. In the center of all this, was fourteen year old Sarah. With her mother’s sudden death, Sarah’s life was shattered. Shortly thereafter, Sarah’s most beloved horse, Midnight, was sold by her gambling addict father. This second loss shattered her world. Yet, the kindness of strangers, and one in particular, Faith, enveloped themselves in Sarah’s world to offer support and love. They willingly gave of themselves, and made a positive impact on Sarah’s life and future.
This was a very well written inspirational story that will engage the reader from the first page.

I am a total fan of Catherine Ryan Hyde and was beyond excited to be approved via Netgalley for an ARC of her latest, Just After Midnight. I've read everything she's written and have to say this was AMAZING and that might even be not a big enough or descriptive enough term, but it's all I've got.

This book, after everything is said and done, is about the goodness in people, the kindness of strangers, and the love and caring people show for their fellow man. The characters are so full bodied and fleshed out that if one actually spoke to me, I wouldn't have been surprised.

So much stood out about this book that I really can't go into it because I do not want to spoil the story, but I can say I've never learned so much about horses and dressage in any other books I've read. It was so interesting and having Faith be the one who needed to know about dressage and horses served the purpose of "teaching" the reader or at least making sure they knew what was being discussed without feeling as if it was a lecture.

I was truly sad when this story ended. I'll admit I was greedy. I wanted more and more and even more of Faith, Constance, Sarah and Estelle and the rest of the cast as well. I'm so happy I got to read this book, but now comes the looooong wait for another! Please keep writing Ms. Hyde and I'll keep reading.